AFC East Notes: Revis, Smith, Starks
News broke earlier tonight that Darrelle Revis will be joining the Patriots, and Albert Breer of NFL.com has a couple of interesting notes on the big move. According to Breer, nothing prevents the Patriots from franchising the corner in 2015 (via Twitter). Revis’ tag for 2015 would be $14.4MM, a 20% raise on his current salary, but that may be moot, since the Patriots hope to lock up the ex-Buccaneer to a long-term deal after a “feeling-out period,” Breer says in another tweet.
More news from around the AFC East…
- The Jets never engaged in any substantive conversations on Revis, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post. General Manager John Idzik never even got the opportunity to talk to Revis’ camp.
- Furthermore, Jets head coach Rex Ryan wanted to “badly” bring back the cornerback, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Mehta adds that the decision was “over his head.”
- Shelley Smith is meeting with the Patriots after he left New York without a deal from the Giants, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Thomas adds that Smith also has a visit scheduled with the Dolphins.
- With Revis’ deal taking up $12MM of the Patriots‘ ~$17MM cap space, Vince Wilfork has to restructure his contract or seek employment elsewhere, opines Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).
- Specifics for Randy Starks‘ contract from Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter): $2MM signing bonus, $3MM guaranteed base in 2014, $5MM in 2015 with $2MM in incentives. Those incentives kick in if the Dolphins win 10 games and Starks plays 65% of the snaps.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Patriots Re-Sign Michael Hoomanawanui
WEDNESDAY, 7:40pm: Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter) has the specifics on the contract: it’s $2.4MM over two years with $500K guaranteed, $400K in incentives each year, and a roster bonus of $6K per game. Hooman has cap numbers of $1.401MM and $1.38MM, assuming he hits the playtime incentives
11:47am: The Pats have officially announced the signing of Hoomanawanui.
MONDAY, 10:19am: The Patriots will re-sign tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to a two-year contract, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports first reported (via Twitter) that Hoomanawanui, who had been eligible for unrestricted free agency, reached an agreement with the Pats.
Hoomanawanui, 25, has spent the last two seasons in New England after starting his career with the Rams. The former fifth-round pick played more than 700 snaps in 2013, grabbing 12 balls for 136 yards and a touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Hoomanawanui wasn’t an effective run blocker, though he graded as slightly above average as a pass blocker.
Having earned the minimum salary in 2013, Hoomanawanui will likely be in line for another minimum deal this time around, though specific details aren’t yet known.
Latest On Darrelle Revis
The Buccaneers are cleaning house and earlier today they made star cornerback Darrelle Revis walk the plank. Here’s the very latest on Revis and his future…
- The talks between Revis and the Jets (mentioned below) were initiated by the cornerback’s side in an attempt to see if there was interest, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter)
Earlier updates:
- The Jets and Revis have been in touch about a possible reunion, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. According to Mehta, the cornerback would like to play for Rex Ryan again, and that interest is believed to be mutual, but it’s unclear if the team’s management and ownership would be fully on board as well.
- Buccaneers GM Jason Licht says “it came close a couple different times” when asked about a potential trade for Revis on NFL Network, tweets Ian Rapoport.
- A member of Revis’ camp is confident that he will end up on Patriots, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “It’s going to happen,” the source told Mehta.
- Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com (on Twitter) hears from a source that the Eagles are expected to make a play for Revis. Meanwhile, Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter) says Revis to the Eagles is not going to happen. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter) doesn’t see it happening with the Eagles since their scheme doesn’t require a shutdown CB.
East Rumors: Giants, Jets, Pats, Eagles
A couple of rumblings from the teams in the Eastern divisions…
- Jacoby Jones turned down more money from the Giants to re-sign with the Ravens, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
- Linval Joseph, who was signed by the Vikings, said today that the final offer he got from the Giants was nowhere close to what he got from Minnesota, tweets Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
- The Jets have expressed interest in recently reinstated cornerback Brandon Browner, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. However, at this time, it appears unlikely that he’ll end up with Gang Green.
- Jason Avant, who hit the market early after being released by the Eagles, will visit with the Patriots, tweets Field Yates of ESPN Boston.
- Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter) surmises that if another team really wanted Patriots free agent receiver Julian Edelman, he’d be signed by now. The wide receiver market isn’t terribly hot at the moment.
- Malcolm Jenkins said the Raiders and Rams showed interest before he decided to sign with the Eagles, says Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly (via Twitter). As Mosher points out, Rams’ defensive coordinator Greg Williams was Jenkins’ coach with the Saints.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Redskins Rumors: Clark, Tapp, Carroll, Talib
Reports have surfaced suggesting Ryan Clark won’t sign with the Redskins despite visiting the team today, but agent Joel Turner is adamant that his client wouldn’t meet with the club unless he had interest, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post. According to Jones, Clark has other suitors, but is intrigued by the idea of returning to Washington (Twitter links). Here’s more on the Redskins:
- Unrestricted free agent Darryl Tapp won’t be returning to the Redskins, agent Fletcher Smith tells ESPN.com’s John Keim (Twitter link).
- The Redskins have not inquired on free agent cornerback Nolan Carroll, tweets Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980. Carroll is a University of Maryland product, which would make him of interest to many Skins fans.
- The Redskins were one of the teams to express interest in Aqib Talib before he signed with Denver, the cornerback confirmed today (Twitter link via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com). Talib also suggested that the Pats, 49ers, and Saints inquired.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
AFC Rumors: Chiefs, Jordan, Raiders
The Chiefs aren’t one of the four teams that have reached out to free agent center Alex Mack, but teams are getting creative with their proposals to the Browns free agent, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Here’s a look at the latest out of the AFC..
- Donte Whitner told reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), that he has encouraged the Browns to look into signing Ted Ginn Jr., who would like to come to Cleveland. The Bucs are hosting the speedy return man today.
- The Patriots and Vince Wilfork have discussed an extension this offseason, but an agreement isn’t close, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network. Talks aren’t active at the moment, but could pick up again as the Pats need additional room (link). Adrian Wilson could also potentially be cut for cap savings.
- Linebacker Dekoda Watson says he had interest from nine-ten other teams before he signed with the Jaguars, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com. The Bills, Patriots, 49ers, and Browns were among the interested clubs.
- Chiefs free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan is scheduled to visit the Titans on Monday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). We heard earlier this week that Jordan has interest from half a dozen teams.
- The Falcons and Raiders had interest in Linval Joseph before he signed with the Vikings, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN. Ultimately, neither club came close to Minnesota’s offer.
- Chris Clemons‘ first visit will be to the Jaguars, tweets Terry Blount of ESPN. The Seahawks recently released the veteran defensive end.
Patriots Release Isaac Sopoaga
4:43pm: The Pats have officially released Sopoaga, along with offensive lineman Markus Zusevics, the team announced today. Zusevics was on a minimum-salary deal and his release won’t affect the club’s cap, but New England should save $2.5MM with the release of Sopoaga.
2:46pm: The Patriots have informed defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga that he will be released, tweets ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss.
The Patriots acquired Sopoaga, 32, in October via a trade with the Eagles. It was a low-risk move for the Pats, who got the veteran and a sixth-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round selection. Statistically, it was Sopoaga’s weakest season in years as he registered just eight tackles and one sack.
West Rumors: McFadden, 49ers, Rams
Darren McFadden re-signed with the Raiders but he could have gone elsewhere for more money. “We did have real interest from four or five other teams — one offered more money,” McFadden’s agent Ian Greengross told Jerry McDonald of Bay Area News Group. “Darren wanted to stay a Raider. He felt like he still had something to prove in silver and black.” The tailback came back to Oakland on a one-year, $1.75MM deal with $2.25 million in incentives and just $100K guaranteed. The latest out of the AFC and NFC West..
- The 49ers are in the market for a tall, long-armed cornerback and they have their eye on Vikings free agent corner Chris Cook, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. San Francisco also likes fellow free agent CB Nolan Carroll. Meanwhile, things are quiet around Tarell Brown and that could benefit the 49ers, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
- Versatile defensive lineman Alex Carrington is drawing strong interest from the Rams and Browns, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). Carrington played in just three games for the Bills last season due to injury.
- Free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins is on the Cardinals‘ radar, tweets Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. However, no visit is scheduled yet for the former first round pick. Jenkins spent last season with the Raiders.
- Justin Tuck isn’t the only player visiting the Raiders today. Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter) says that Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas is also in Oakland.
- We can add a third Giant to the delegation visiting the Raiders. Running back Andre Brown is in Oakland as well, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
- Rams free agent guard Shelley Smith will make a visit with the Patriots, according to Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com. The 26-year-old started in two games for St. Louis last season and can play either left or right guard. He has build a reputation as a solid run blocker who can pull well.
Darrelle Revis Rumors: Wednesday
If there was any question about whether the Buccaneers would move Darrelle Revis, it appears that the club has answered that with an emphatic yes. Last night, the Bucs signed one of the top available cornerbacks on the market in Alterraun Verner. With a four-year, $26.5MM deal struck with the former Titans standout, we can expect Revis to be donning a different uniform in 2014. Hopefully, it’s something nicer than the Bucs’ calculator font jerseys. The latest on Revis…
- Albert Breer of the NFL Network doesn’t think there’s any way the Patriots would trade for Revis, but says the team has talked about signing the cornerback if he’s released (Twitter link).
- The Falcons, Eagles, and Giants are among the other clubs that have called Tampa Bay about Revis, according to Ian Rapoport, though he adds (via Twitter) that he’s not sure any of those teams will trade for him. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter link) thinks the Giants were just checking out the situation and aren’t likely to pursue Revis even if he’s cut.
- Rapoport also notes (via Twitter) that restructuring Revis’ deal to convert this year’s salary into a signing bonus would reduce the cornerback’s 2014 cap hit to just $5.6MM.
Earlier updates:
- The Patriots have been among those who have called to expressed interest in a trade for Revis, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Still, Revis doesn’t plan on taking a pay cut. Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (on Twitter) also hears that the Pats are a possibility.
- Reports are out saying Bucs have released Revis but they appear to be premature, Cummings tweets.
Pats Rumors: Amendola, Smith, Shaughnessy
Late last night, the Broncos agreed to a six-year, $57MM deal with free agent cornerback Aqib Talib. While the Kansas product’s departure isn’t a total shock, it does leave the Pats with a significant gap to fill this offseason. The latest out of Foxboro..
- Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter) notes that $2MM of Danny Amendola‘s $3MM base salary with the Patriots became guaranteed yesterday. While he has offsets, the $2MM guarantee means he’ll likely stay put in New England.
- The Giants have competition for guard Shelley Smith, tweets Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger. He also has a scheduled visit with the Patriots on Thursday.
- The Patriots are hosting outside linebacker Matt Shaughnessy on a visit today, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com (on Twitter).